Emphysema Caused by Railroad Exposures
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to dangerous chemicals and particulates while on the job. This includes silica, diesel exhaust fumes and coal dust.
These substances can trigger lung diseases like emphysema, among others. Emphysema creates large holes (bullae) in the lungs. These holes reduce the size of the air sacs, making breathing difficult.
Symptoms
In emphysema, air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs become damaged. The damage stops the lungs from expanding when they breathe. As aml caused by railroad how to get a settlement may experience shortness of breath and feel weak. The symptoms are more noticeable in the late stages of the illness.
When the walls of the alveoli break, they create an alveoli bubble or a pouch inside your lung. Those pockets trap air, which can make your chest appear more full and make you appear barrel-chested. The reduced number alveoli reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
If the emphysema is advanced it can result in severe problems that can be life-threatening. It increases the chance of a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax). It can also strain your heart and make you more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia and lung bronchitis. lung cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement can also cause large, round holes inside the lungs, referred to as bullae. pancreatic cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement reduces the amount of space for the lungs and may lead breathing problems.
Railroad workers who prove that exposure to diesel exhaust, dust and fumes has caused Emphysema can be eligible for financial compensation. Our law firm can assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. We are committed to helping you through the entire process of submitting claims. Call us for more information on how we can assist.
Diagnosis
Physical examinations are the best method of diagnosing Emphysema. A doctor will listen to your lung sounds using an instrument used in medical practice called the an stethoscope (auscultation). They can hear the emphysematic changes in your lungs, and observe signs of this condition on your chest CT scan or an X-ray.
The doctor may also check your pulmonary function in order to determine the quality of your breathing and exhale. Pulmonary function tests include spirometry as well as arterial blood gas (ABG). ABG analyzes the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood. This can determine if extra oxygen is needed.
Treatment can slow down the progression of emphysema, and improve your overall health. It also lowers the chance of complications, such as heart disease. People with severe emphysema can develop spaces of empty space in the lung called bullae. These can be as huge as a quarter of the lungs and reduce the surface area of the lung. People who have a large emphysema (bullous emphysema) are at a higher risk of having a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
The railroad companies are able to stop tens or thousands of railway workers from developing lung diseases that can be fatal. If they fail to do so, FELA allows them to be held liable. Rail workers who are exposed to toxic substances like asbestos or diesel exhaust as well as other toxic substances at work have a compelling case for making personal injury and wrongful-death claims.
Treatment
It is difficult for your lungs to transport oxygen out and back in because the the air sacs are damaged. As time passes, this could cause enlarged lungs, which make breathing difficult and could cause you to cough more often. This is also known as stage 3 or severe emphysema.
Emphysema cannot be fixed however, there are ways to manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Try to stay away from irritations such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dusts at workplace and at home. It is also possible to follow a regular exercise program to strengthen your lungs.
If you are diagnosed with emphysema, your physician will probably suggest a pulmonary function test. This can include spirometry, which tests how well your lungs exhale and inhale. It can also test for lung inflammation and determine if you have an obstruction in your airways or other respiratory conditions. Your doctor may also prescribe an arterial blood gas test (ABG), which measures carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in your blood.
The best way to avoid emphysema, is to stop smoking cigarettes and avoid breathing in second-hand smoke. However, this isn't simple for some individuals, especially when they are diagnosed with COPD. People who were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhausts and other chemicals while working should seek compensation from their former railroad employers for their long-term diseases under FELA.
Settlement
A large proportion of railroad workers suffer from debilitating lung diseases like emphysema, among others, due to exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and other toxic substances. Railroad employees who can prove that their jobs contributed to or aggravated their pulmonary condition may be eligible to receive financial compensation from the railroads who employed them. The FELA statute permits cases of comparative negligence. This means that even if an railroad employee smoked cigarettes and their health issues were caused by smoking, they are still partly liable. Our legal team is available to help injured railroad employees get the compensation they deserve.